Seconds make it eight wins in a row

LAST Saturday saw Bann Seconds entertain their illustrious opponents from Ballymena in the Ulster Second XV League.

This was a fixture that Bann had been looking forward to for weeks, providing as it did the opportunity to gauge if their recent run of seven league wins on the bounce could be kept going against a team that had inflicted a huge defeat earlier in the season and were league leaders.

A very solid, controlled performance showed the tremendous strides made over the season as Bann recorded an impressive 17-8 victory to consolidate fourth place in the league, closing in on the top three.

Scrum-half Craig Mulholland showed Ballymena the intentions of the home side as early as the second minute when he broke from the half way line and showed pace in out-sprinting the winger to get deep into the 22 only to put a foot in touch as the visitors’ cover closed in.

However, this set up good territory for the forwards to then stamp their authority, and the first points went Bann`s way in the fifth minute through a well taken penalty by Shandon Scott when the visitors were forced to concede to an energetic Bann pack.

From the re-start Bann were again able to get play deep inside the opposition half through some clever kicking and controlled forward play. It was no surprise that Scott doubled the score in the 11th minute when Ballymena conceded a penalty under pressure in the scrum.

Although Bann again moved into the visitors 22 with some strong drives the Ballymena men seemed to awaken to the capabilities of the home side and they themselves got a series of surges forward into Bann’s 22.

After five minutes of stout defending Bann were caught handling in the ruck with the successful 35 metre penalty bringing the score to 6-3. But by the interval Scott had landed a third penalty to restore the six point margin.

Although Ballymena were wining their share of possession Bann pressure prevented the build-up of any attacking momentum. And from turnover ball Bann forced the visitors back into their own territory, allowing Scott to kick his fourth penalty.

From the kick-off Ballymena were immediately put back into their half, as Bann realised that the best way to contain a team in need of a quick score was to attack them. Mulholland and Geoff Little exchanged reverse passes to set up a period of relentless pressure on the Ballymena line with numerous surges by the forwards, spearheaded by Jonny Martin.

Ballymena were finding the pressure too much, and after a series of infringements found themselves minus two yellow-carded players. From the second penalty Bann opted for the scrum and out-half Adam Waugh put in a delightful crossfield kick for winger Jordan Weir to collect at full tilt and sprint in for the deserved score. Scott missed the conversion, but Bann were now 14 points ahead.

Ballymena were now left chasing the game but were still forced to kick away possession. Their attempts to retrieve the situation saw then resort to two long range penalties and also a drop goal attempt from the half way line.

They did eventually get a try with 12 minutes remaining, achieved after a period of pressure on the Bann line saw wing forward Geoff Thompson somewhat harshly carded. From the next move saw they crossed for the try, but the all important conversion was missed.

In the time remaining Bann played some very clever rugby, as they controlled the speed of the game with timely pick and drives deep inside the Ballymena half.

This was a fine team effort as Bann tackled and drove the league leaders onto the back foot for almost the whole game, showing that the team has developed its game to adapt to different styles of rugby to achieve the results.

With six games remaining, two of those against top three sides, Bann have the chance to finish higher still, a remarkable feat after such a poor start to the season.